SENUFO HEDDLE PULLEYS 9-11

In traditional Africa, heddle pulleys were used in strip-weaving long narrow strips of cloth which would be later sewn together to make a large textile. Used in pairs, they allowed for the shifting of the warp threads so the weft thread shuttles could pass thrpugh, The finely carved pulleys of masks, heads and figures were intended to protect the weaver and help him produce fine cloth.

For more information, see Daniel Mato, "ART OF AFRICA. WEAVER and CARVER".

These depict the hornbill, important in Senufo lore. Despite their appearance we believe these were made to be sold.